Time To Clean-Up My Father's House |
Part 1 - Introduction | Part 2 - True Disciples |Part 3 - The Road Back to Christ
Time to Clean-up My Father’s House
Part 2: True Disciples
12-Jul-07
I had a conversation with a church leader once, which left me quite confused. Out of respect, I didn’t challenge him but his statement was contrary to the bible’s teaching and so it left me quite disturbed. The statement he made was:
‘We are not always the best ones to witness to our relatives because they see all our weaknesses.’
It did concern me at the time but I did over look it, until recently. I was singing songs of praise, while I prepared the mixture to bake a pudding and that’s when it came back to me. I found myself thinking aloud and I recorded the following piece as a summary of my thoughts:
“If you’re not living a life pleasing to God, then don’t try preaching to His children because they will see right through you.
When you accept Christ as your Saviour, you have entered a life of freedom – not to do your own thing but to do HIS will. So in effect, you have become a disciple of Christ. A disciple is a witness for Christ so you just cannot afford to say things like:
‘I’m not the best one to witness to my unsaved family and friends.’
Your life should be Christ-like and that means that your speech should reflect your actions when you are at home, at school, at work, out shopping, out & about or at church. Other’s should be able to see Christ in you and come to know HIM themselves.”
These thoughts were translated as:
You have to be a witness in your home. “Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it” (Proverbs 22:6). That child won’t learn, just because ‘you said so’, he/she will learn by the example you set. That is being a witness – letting your life tell the story.
"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." ( John 5:19)
The unsaved partner will not come to church with you just because he/she is told to come. You have to be a witness to that partner by the way you live your life at home. The way you treat him/her will determine whether or not Christ is shining through you. Wearing a title don’t make you a Christian so the fact that you are a pastor, a deacon, a teacher or hold some other form of leadership in the church, does not automatically evoke respect or entice your unsaved friends and relatives to come. You have to follow in Jesus’ footsteps and live the life daily - not just when it pleases you.
You cannot choose the parts that pleases you and ignore the rest, for the bible is there as your guide. Learn from the Word of God and teach from the Word. Don’t live a less than fulfilled life. God wants you to have life in all its fullness – life in abundance. And when you have this lifestyle, you won’t want to keep it to yourself. You’ll want to share it with others, and that’s where your witness begins.
'Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…’(Matthew 28:19 – 20)
That includes family members. ‘All the nations’ – I understand that to mean everyone. Therefore your, friends and relatives are also part of that plan. You are indeed required to witness to your unsaved family and friends.
‘Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.’ (John 13:35)
So you need to make sure you are walking right, before you go trying to make disciples. Otherwise you will become the 'clown of the town' when you try to witness (verbally) while your life-style is contrary to what you preach. If you are not producing fruit something is wrong somewhere and need fixing. For the bible tells you what Jesus says about discipleship:
‘My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my father.’ (John 15:8)
So, are you bringing glory to the Father?
He went on to say that ‘I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name’ (John 15:16b). Are you still waiting for that long awaited blessing? Check your walk with Christ. If your walk does not match your talk, you cannot be a true witness for Christ. Hypocrisy will be your very nature and hypocrisy has no place in The Father’s House.
You cannot claim to be a Christian without, actually, following Christ.
So, do you measure up as a true disciple?
1st Peter 2:12 reminds us to be careful how we live among our unbelieving neighbors (that includes our relatives as well). Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behaviour, and they will believe and give honor to God when He comes to judge the world. Therefore, saying that 'we are not the best ones to witness to our relatives, is not justified as it's not rooted in the bible.
In Matthew 5:13-16 we are told to let our 'good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your Heavenly Father'. Therefore a 'responsible Christian lifestyle is a witness to others. The way you live should praise the Lord and attract others to Him.'*
Here’s what Jesus says, according to the gospel of John:
“You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)
“My True disciples produce much fruit. This brings Glory to my Father.” (John 15:8)
C’mon! Church-leaders, it’s time to fix-up. Teach the body how to be true disciples - Let God arise! And His enemies scatter.
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.”
-1st John 2:6-
Copyright 2007 J.S. Ramkissoon
*Touchpoints for Leaders, Tyndale House Publishers
